EU funding – Complete Overview

The EU provides funding for a broad range of projects and programmes covering areas such as:

regional & urban development

employment & social inclusion

agriculture & rural development

maritime & fisheries policies

research & innovation

humanitarian aid.

Management of funds

Funding is managed according to strict rules to ensure there is tight control over how funds are used and that the money is spent in a transparent, accountable manner.

As a group, the 28 EU Commissioners have the ultimate political responsibility for ensuring that EU funds are spent properly. But because most of the funding is managed within the beneficiary countries, responsibility for conducting checks and annual audits lies with national governments.

Over 76% of the EU budget is managed in partnership with national and regional authorities through a system of “shared management”, largely through 5 big funds – the Structural & Investment Funds. Collectively, these help to implement the Europe 2020 strategy.

Other funds are managed directly by the EU. These are provided in the form of:

Grants for specific projects in relation to EU policies, usually following a public announcement known as a ‘call for proposals’. Part of the funding comes from the EU, part from other sources.

Contracts issued by EU institutions to buy in services, goods or works they need for their operations – like studies, training, conference organisation, IT equipment. Contracts are awarded through calls for tender.